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119 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the minutes of the April 3, 2006 Council meeting and sent to Buckingham Branch Railroad. RESOLUTION : SUPPORTING U. VA. REQUEST TO STATE FOR JEFFERSON PARK AVENUE CROSSING Dr. Brown said that this issue came up at a Planning and Coordination Council (PACC) meeting. He said the University is seeking federal funds for a pedestrian walkway, and they would appreciate the City’s help in trying to obtain those funds. He said that at the PACC meeting Mr. Caravati had concerns that Jefferson Park Avenue’s elevation or course not be changed. He noted that this support is for the pedestrian crossing only. He said he thinks this crossing addresses a problem. He said that the University has met with the neighborhood association. Mr. Caravati made a motion to approve the resolution and Mr. Schilling seconded the motion. Ms. Hamilton said that she had a discussion with the University architect, and the new design is one third smaller than originally proposed. She said the entrance to Oakhurst Circle is not affected. Mr. Lynch said that is an important point. He said the new design is on the University’s Board of Visitors website. He said he thinks it meets the intention of the neighborhood. He said he supports the resolution with the expectation that the design remains essentially the same. The Resolution Supporting the University of Virginia’s Request to the State for the Jefferson Park Crossing was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None. WHEREAS , the University of Virginia is seeking Federal funds to support construction of a pedestrian crossing and walkway over Jefferson Park Avenue (JPA), a principle arterial street in the City of Charlottesville; and, WHEREAS , the crossing will link classroom buildings on the north side of JPA with new classrooms and offices to the south that will be constructed as part of the University’s South Lawn Project; and, WHEREAS , the proposed pedestrian crossing over JPA is at a location where pedestrians currently cross at street grade, on a pedestrian crosswalk marked on the road surface; and WHEREAS , JPA is very heavily traveled at this location, by both motorists and pedestrians, including University students, staff and community residents; and, WHEREAS , the large number of pedestrians crossing the street amidst large volumes of traffic renders this location on JPA potentially unsafe and dangerous, and there is a record of accidents at this location involving personal injury; and, WHEREAS , the proposed new walkway will represent a significant improvement in public safety by allowing pedestrians to cross JPA safely above motor vehicle traffic, and will also improve traffic flow by reducing congestion in the corridor that connects the University’s Medical Center with Interstate 64 and US Route 29; and, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, that the Council supports the University’s effort to obtain Federal funding for the construction of the pedestrian crossing over Jefferson Park Avenue.